Albion\’s ABC\’s of Waste Management – I

I      Incineration

Incineration is the thermal treatment process in which waste is burned in order to recover energy. The process usually involves the combustion of unprepared Municipal Solid Waste. Incineration plant temperatures are typically in excess of 850 degrees Celsius, and require enough oxygen to sufficiently oxidise the waste.  The main products of this process are carbon dioxide and water, while some of the non-combustible materials like glass and metal remain in solid form, known as “Incinerator Bottom Ash (IBA)”.

The heat from the incineration process is used to directly heat both residential and commercial buildings as well as being used for other industrial purposes. Alternatively the heat can be used to generate electricity, which can be sold. Therefore incineration allows the extraction of some value from general waste. Currently only 10 percent of municipal waste is incinerated in England, while in Europe the average is 17.3 percent. This average takes into consideration Denmark who incinerate over half of their municipal waste.  For further information please visit http://www.wrfound.org.uk/articles/incineration.html